Do & Dont Suicide Postventions
[deck/abstract]An additional sidebar for the October 2009 Student Services article.
[no by line]

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<P><H1>Do & Dont Suicide Postventions</H1>
<P><B>Do</B>
<UL><LI>Verify that the death was a suicide</LI>
<LI>Mobilize the crisis response team</LI>
<LI>Inform faculty and support staff members</LI>
<LI>Identify and connect with students who may be at elevated risk for suicidal behavior</LI>
<LI>Visit each of the victims classes to notify students and provide facts</LI>
<LI>Emphasize to students the importance of suicide prevention and available resources</LI>
<LI>Notify the parents of highly affected students</LI>
<LI>Give students opportunities to receive individual or small group counseling </LI>
<LI>Refer at-risk students and their families to community-based mental health services </LI>
<LI>Visit the family of the deceased student to offer support</LI>
<LI>Monitor student absences in the days following a suicide</LI>
<LI>Provide training for school staff members and parents on risk factors and warning signs for suicidal behavior</LI>
<LI>Develop living memorials that will help students cope with emotions and problems</LI>
<LI>Encourage parents to accompany their children if they plan to attend a community-based memorial service or funeral</LI>
<LI>Provide long-term surveillance of students who have been affected by the suicide</LI></UL>
<P><B>Dont</B>
<UL><LI>Provide unnecessary details about the suicide</LI>
<LI>Conduct an on-campus memorial service</LI>
<LI>Glorify or sensationalize the behavior</LI>
<LI>Notify students through large assemblies or schoolwide announcements</LI>
<LI>Create or permit permanent on-campus memorials</LI>
<LI>Dedicate yearbooks, songs, or events to the deceased</LI></UL>
<BR><BR>
<P><B>Resources</B> 
<P>American Association of Suicidology. (1998). <I>Suicide postvention guidelines: Suggestions for dealing with the aftermath of suicide in schools.</I> Washington, DC: Author.
<P>Poland, S., & McCormick, J. S. (1999). <I>Coping with crisis: Lessons learned.</I> Longmont, CO: Sopris West. 



